South West mum blog

Why the best toys aren’t toys at all

Children are always more interested in the big cardboard box than the shiny new toy inside, so the saying goes. And that’s often proved true in this household, with my husband and I trying to sneak old, bulky packaging outside once Scrip has gone to bed, hoping that out of sight, out of mind works.

Likewise I’ve noticed that she’s a bit of a magpie where toys are concerned, collecting random bits and pieces from all over and enjoying playing with them just as much – or maybe more so – than her beautiful crafted and thoughtfully chosen toys.

I had a bit of a look around the house as I was tidying up today (for what seems like the thirtieth time) and found a range of Scrip’s favourite ‘toys’. Here’s a selection – each comes with its own back story.

Forget the ducks and fancy battery operated fish, some of her favourite bath toys are bottles and cups that she uses to pour out glasses of ‘tea’ or ‘champagne’ (obviously we drink that all the time here!) each evening. I’d be in trouble if I ever threw this selection of a plastic dessert glass and two empty tubes of bubbles away.

This little wind-up plastic penguin came with a box of crackers two Christmases ago. It was a race game and this was her penguin. He still wheels around in circles now.

Scrip was intrigued by this paper fan that her Daddy picked up from the station during the hot weather. Cue lots of opening and closing, fanning everyone in the family and even making her own concertina fans.

This remote control is her second ‘phone’ (see below). Rather annoying when we need to use it and it’s tucked into one of her many ‘handbags’.

This classy plastic green skeleton is a pound shop relic from Halloween past. He has an interesting way of walking and a special skeleton voice.

What fun you can have with an old sweet tin! As well as opening and shutting a lot of things get squirreled away in here – hair clips, 2p coins and beads being the most popular.

Scrip’s original mobile phone is an old iPhone box. A bit bulky to transport but it comes with the same icons as our phones and she’s had hours of fun ‘taking pictures’ and ‘talking’ to her friends. Most of them seem to be busy eating sweets and going to parks, we’re told afterwards…